The Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation was awarded a $200,000 grant by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. The foundation was awarded the grant for COVID-19 relief measures on behalf of the Island “to continue its efforts, providing rental relief, childcare, food security, and other support to relieve economic hardship.”
This is the second $200,000 state grant the foundation received from the state for COVID relief efforts. The first award was received in December.
“As your community foundation, we have a unique view of needs and resources across the Island and can direct state funding like this to where it’s needed most,” said Emily Bramhall, executive director of the foundation, in a press release.
The state’s grant and private donations to the foundation’s Emergency Response and Rental Relief Funds added up to $875,000, which were used for a variety of services, such as transportation cost coverage, tuition assistance for Island preschools, and Portuguese medical interpretation training, among other needs.
“This is exactly what the Foundation is set up to do – to be a conduit and steward of available funds to help Islanders most in need,” said Bramhall in the press release. “This financial infusion from the state has enabled us to make a larger impact during this unprecedented time.”
